All CMA CGM reefers are bottom air delivery units designed to distribute chilled air from the floor, via vents designed for this purpose. The advantage is that it produces a consistent and uniform flow of air across the whole cargo, powerful enough to ensure a perfect exchange with the goods. The power of the refrigeration means we can maintain or lower the temperature of the goods, even in the most difficult conditions. Each reefer can also “warm up” the produce, as the electrical resistances can reach 30°C, even when the temperature outside is extremely low.
There are two forms:
Forced circulation of cool air prevents chilled products from ripening too quickly and removes intrusive odours, ensuring a longer shelf-life and maintaining the market value. As some products produce unwanted gases and moisture (which can affect quality), CMA CGM reefer containers are equipped with fresh air exchange systems where cooled outside air is introduced into the container, while the same volume of air is expelled to the outside. The volume (from 0 to 290 m³/h) depends on the type of merchandise being transported and can be controlled from the container.
A very precise process using several probes, cold treatment is used for some products (mainly fruit) and is applied directly into the container after packing to eliminate certain parasites. It is achieved by maintaining the goods at a low temperature for a predetermined, uninterrupted period, and avoids having to fumigate or use pesticides. The treatment meets the phytosanitary standards of many countries.
The MAGNUM system is capable of generating extremely low temperatures down to -35°C (notably for ice-cream and frozen fish).
The AFAM+ system accurately controls the level of CO2 in a container and is ideally suited for certain fruits and vegetables such as avocados, grapes and broccoli.
The TRANSFRESH system accurately controls CO2 and O2 levels, and is ideally suited to fruits that are very sensitive to increases in gases, such as mangoes and blueberries. It differs from the EVERFRESH system in that it involves an injection of gases at the start of the voyage.
The EVERFRESH system accurately controls CO2 and O2 levels, and is ideally suited to fruits that are very sensitive to increases in gases, such as mangoes and blueberries. There is no initial injection of gas with this system as it generates the required quantities itself.
The nature of some products requires extra special precautions during transportation, as is the case with pharmaceutical products. Before packing, each container undergoes a 48-hour test to make sure the refrigeration and warming up phases are functioning properly. An extra probe is inserted into the middle of the cargo and plugged directly into the container’s data-logger. This allows accurate measurements of the product’s temperature to be taken in relation to the ambient temperature of the container. Lastly, a special VSC Monitoring procedure is implemented on board the vessel to compensate for any possible incident.
This system allows you to select several temperatures during a voyage for products that call for a variation. For example, some potato varieties require the temperature to be gradually lowered during the voyage to prevent them spoiling, while the tomato needs a gradual rise in temperature if it is to reach maturity on delivery. Up to six different temperatures can be programmed for one voyage.
Every reefer in the CMA CGM fleet has a modem which means it is in permanent contact with the ship’s bridge. If there is any problem, an alarm signal immediately alerts the bridge ensuring a rapid response.
Although they are under constant surveillance and their temperature is being monitored several times a day, some cargo categories require special attention, as is the case with pharmaceutical products. With our equipment we are able to fit a GPS/GSM that transmits information 24 hours a day to a control centre on land. In this way we can monitor conditions inside the container, as well as tracking its position.
To guarantee that the “cold chain” remains intact throughout their journey, CMA CGM reefers need a permanent supply of electricity. On board they are plugged into the vessel’s supply and on the quay into that of the terminal. Those going by road (rail or truck) are equipped with portable generators called gensets.
CMA CGM has 300 containers of the 45’ Pallet Wide type adapted to multi-modal transportation, allowing the largest number of pallets to be loaded.